Zach's 1st Birthday Party - the checklist...

I started planning Zach's first birthday party last September...of course, the first thing we decided on was the budget and the type of party we'll have. It was not that hard to pick a theme since my baby just know Barney - nothing else, I guess since that's the only VCDs we have at home hehehe...

The Venue --
I had a hard time looking for a venue especially because I want to have a nice place that's not too pricey. Here are some of my options: Bounce (nice place for kids and kids at heart but super expensive for me); Fun Ranch (same comment); CVJ (OA catering package price); McDonald's Marikina (no longer available on the date and time we want). We ended up holding it at the Parang Marikina Baranggay Pavillion - big place, airconditioned, within the vicinity we want and most importantly, withing the budget!

The Caterer --
ONL Catering, the same caterer we had for Zach's baptism...good food and with discount hehehe

The Photographer --
This time I made sure I'll have enough budget to get a photographer. I just feel that all the preps and great party I'll plan out needs good remembrance. I was not that happy with the pictures we had during his baptism coz it was just my sister, brothers or cousin who took it so this time a professional one would fit best and that's my good friend Ging Lorenzo who took my preggy portraits before.

The Videographer --
My hubby :) We just bought new battery for the videocam and Sony minidv tapes.

The Host --
Good thing Google is super powerful that I was able to find GirlTalk's thread that talks about kiddie parties...and that's where I met Emie from Dynamic Impact (party planner) who referred Teddy Bravo to be the host/magician for the birthday party. This made my life so much easier coz I didn't have to worry about the program, the games and the music during the party...all of them were taken cared of by him!

The Cake --
I also spent sleepless nights reading thru the GirlTalk thread on birthday cakes to scout for the best cake. Of course, I wanted to make sure Barney will look like the Barney we see in television and not some dinosaur colored in purple. I had two options: one is from Ana Baluyot of Cake Crafts and another from Kitchen Krafts. The deciding factor was which one is nearest the venue for lesser delivery charge so we opted for Cake Crafts - which I regret afterwards since the taste was not as good as the looks.

The Invitations --
I just made the evites myself using Adobe Photoshop. We also bought Barney invits from Divisoria mall for some guests who don't have internet connections.

The Lootbags --
Almost everything came from Divisoria mall. After 2 years, I finally went back to my fave shopping place! I got Barney backpacks, school kits, pins, bubbles and art sets. I just added goodies from the grocery.

The Prizes --
Of course, from Divi again! Some other toys were from Robinson's and Megamall sale.

The Balloons --
I just bought balloons from Divi and made the designs myself. A friend taught me how so I just did a few practice and whola! Pillars and centerpieces have been made like the one done by a professional hehehe

The Tarpaulin --
Pictures used were from pre-event pictorial by Ging Lorenzo at the Playroom (Sta. Lucia mall).

Zach's 1st Birthday Party - the preparation...

I'm so happy that there's Adobe Photoshop invented in this world! After frequent visits to the Help site, I've come up with this output...very proud to show the guests! (This is what I'll use for the e-vites)

**All the small pics came from his pre-event photo shoot c/o my good friend Ging Lorenzo at the Playroom.

And here's another layout to be printed and pasted to store-bought-Barney invits:

it's playtime!

Here are some of Zach's pics while playing...

Teether from Ninang Sally...he likes it cold:

Playing with Barney given by Tita Ninang Merin (...with a great big hug and a kiss from me to you...)

Playing with his very first toy...from Tita Gigi

He likes colorful toys...

In his broom-broom hehehe

"one check-up schedule with my Tita-Ninang Merin"...

6/2/07 --
Tita-Ninang Merin went with us for my check-up at Sta. Lucia Health Care Center. While waiting for my doctor to call me, we took pictures together...

"Look at me...I'm crawling!"

At six months, Zach is uncontrollable when on the floor! He can clean the entire area with his clothes hahaha

a future IT-specialist hehehe

Probably Zach will also be an IT-specialist someday??! Naaahhh...just trying to help Mommy finish her work :)

Wearing Shoes the First Time...

5/26/2007 --

We'll go to the mall for Zach's monthly checkup (clinic is in the mall). We just tried if his shoes (given by his Ninang Janice) will now fit well...and it did! Here are some of his pictures:

"I can stand up on my own!"

At 6 months, Zach can already stand up on his own.

Zach's Hair - before and after taking a bath...

We took Zach's picture before and after taking a bath. He has grown his hair long but not that obvious because it turns curly when dry. See below:

BEFORE

AFTER

Another hair-do (ahihihihi) :)

And from whom did he get that curly hair?

From Mamala! (grandma) :)

beh!

Part of Zach's teething, he always wants to stick his tongue out... probably because he wants to feel his teeth. See the number of times I captured them:

"my Two Front Teeth"...

Towards the end of my 5th month, my tooth already went out. Now (at 6 months), my two front teeth are already visible! See them in my lower gums.

"I love mangoes!"

Zach's favorite fruit - MANGO! The first time we introduced this fruit to him, his facial reaction was like he was given vinegar! :) But after a while, he liked the taste...actually, he loves it a lot! Whenever he sees someone eating mangoes, he would do everything he can to be near and have some.

Below...he insisted to hold the mango:

"Daddy, can I have some more, please??"
"I told you I want more!"

the hEaT is on...

It's summer time! Zach will conquer the pool the first time. We went to Laguna for some hot spring fun...

Choosing which sunglass to wear:

Feeling the warm water...

Enjoying the water splash...

With my pal...Mickey Mouse!

With the family :)